Maxwell Haworth will be remembered as an energetic, adventurous spirit who loved spending time outdoors with his family and friends.
He enjoyed hiking with his mom and fishing with his dad. He loved playing with his three dogs and swimming in his parents’ Palmdale pool regardless of the temperature.
The 5-year-old boy and his parents, Chrissy Carmack and Mikey Haworth, were visiting the beach near Rincon Point over Labor Day weekend when tragedy struck. Max was playing on the rocks Aug. 31 when one shifted and he fell, causing another rock to fall on top of him. He died that evening.
“You never expect a tragedy like this to happen,” said Daniel Kessler, Maxwell’s great uncle. “The realization that we’re not going to see him any more on this earth is a very daunting thought.”
Max was an only child. Mikey Haworth was a set builder for TV shows, while Chrissy Carmack was a stay-at-home mom. She homeschooled Max, and he had just started kindergarten the week before the incident.
Bryan Holloway, a close family friend, said the couple was the most loving parents who prioritized giving Max experiences that would one day become core memories.
“That was their pride and joy. They were ecstatic to have him,” Holloway said of Maxwell. “He lived a very full life compared to a lot of other kids.”
Max’s favorite superhero was Spiderman, and he wore his Halloween costume year round. His favorite game was Minecraft, and he wore his themed button-up shirt in his school photo.
He loved the color blue, and he loved chocolate and vanilla ice cream sandwiches, always getting one for himself and one for whoever he was with.
Max could often be found playing soccer — his mom was his coach — and attempting to ride his electric bike.
“He was always on the move, always running around,” Kessler said, “He enjoyed all the things boys his age do.”
Kessler recalls Max hunting for Easter eggs in his backyard and showing up to his home with a toy tool belt to help his dad hang up the Christmas lights. He especially enjoyed helping his great uncle rake the leaves in the autumn.
“Then he’d jump on it and spread them all over the place so he’d be right back where he started, but he had a lot of fun,” Kessler said.
Maxwell always looked forward to visiting the beach at Rincon Point. The family had camped there several times, often visiting friends who lived in Ventura County and had a son the same age.
The two families were relaxing on the beach the day of the incident. Max was standing on a rock near the sand when it shifted and he fell backwards, hitting his head. Another rock fell on top of him.
His parents weren’t aware that the rocks could be dangerous.
“The boys were being boys, and the parents were watching them,” Holloway said. “They saw it all unfold in front of them, so there’s some importance to note that the rocks are dangerous out there.”
A stranger on the beach, a Ventura County first responder, gave the 5-year-old CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive. He later visited the grieving parents in Palmdale and brought them a gift basket.
The family is grateful for the good Samaritan, the paramedics and the staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for the treatment and comfort they provided.
To support his friends, Holloway created a GoFundMe page that has already raised $70,000.
Chrissy Carmack and Mikey Haworth will use the money to cover medical bills, funeral expenses and grievance therapy.
The couple, who did not wish to be interviewed, has been shocked by the amount of support. Holloway and Kessler said they want to thank everyone who has donated money and prayed for them.
To honor Maxwell, Kessler encouraged parents to cherish every moment with their children.
“Keep them safe, have fun with them and enjoy them,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll all grow up to be adults.”
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Family, friends recall 5-year-old who died after fall at Rincon beach
Reporting by Makena Huey, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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